Local Lock ( Bromley )

Our Blog

Hi Welcome to our blog. This is a place where I share my day to day experiences

and advice as a 24hr mobile locksmith that you may find interesting.

Gain Entry to Steel Container Sunday, October 2, 2016

As a locksmith you never know what you'll be asked to open next.A recent request was to open a steel storage container which housed equipmentfor a garden maintainence company after the lock had failed.

Completed the mission, new lock fitted happy days.

Release the Hounds Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Received a call yesterday from a housing association saying they had reports of a dog barking in a property for about a week, in the house and garden, but no sign of the occupier

Neighbours had become concerned for the dog, and the RSPCAhad been asked to take a look.

They tried several times to speak to the owner but got no reply.It was then deceided to gain entry to take a look.

I was a bit concerned as the neighbours informed us that it was quite a large dog.

We went into a neighbours garden, took a look over the fence, and sure enough it was a large dog.

With the RSPCA man beside me with his dog catching equipment, I gained entry quickly and backed away leaving the RSPCA to do the rest.

After he pushed the door open slowly, the dogs head appeared and he slipped a noose around him.

The dog was no problem walked with the man to his van and jumped in.

The dog was rehomed as it turned out the owner was a registered drug addict and had wandered off some days beforehand.

Still good result in the end.

Locksmiths and Ladders Sunday, May 8, 2016

Sometimes for various reasons the only way in for a locksmith is an open window on the upper level.

This doesn't happen often, I can only thinkof 2 occasions in 10 yrs when I've had to do it.

One time I had a lady in distress, trapped inthe bedroom of a detatched house.

The door lock to the bedroom had been fitted by her brother, wasn't the greatest quality, andhad finaly failed.

My job, find a ladder, which I managed to borrowfrom a neighbour and free the lady from her room.

This turned out to be quite a task, carrying toolsand drills up the ladder into the bedroom.

After drilling into the lock I found a part had brokenoff and jammed the mechanism, this was removedand the door opened.

I was able to leave the house through the normalmethod instead of down the ladder.

Returned the ladder to neighbour, happy lady,job complete.

Steering Wheel Lock Saturday, May 7, 2016

Received a call yesterday asking if I couldremove a steering wheel lock from a camper van.

The customer was trying to prepare for the summeras they use it for touring and the keys had been lostsince last year.

Locksmiths never know what's coming next.What they will be asked to open or lock.

Steering wheel lock removed and customer happy.

Distressing Call Friday, May 6, 2016

Had a call from a home care company yesterdaysaying they were concerned for the welfare of anelderly gentleman who they hadn't been able to contactand the keys they had for the property had been mislaid,so I was called to the property to gain entry.

On arrival it seemed like a reasonably straight forwardtask so I set about opening the door.

After the lock was picked and the door opened it revealedanother door behind containing 2 mortice locks.

It took a some time to open the 2nd door but once openedwe discovered the man laying on his back in the hallway.

He was concious but unable to speak, so paramedics were calledand he was taken to hospital.

It's feared the man had had some kind of stroke.

It will take some time for this one to fade.

How much is that doggie in the window Thursday, May 5, 2016

Received a call from a man who owns a floor covering business with a shop.He left the shop for 5 mins to go to the bank, locked the door leaving Terri the terrier to mind the shop.

On returning he put the key in the lock, he said "it seemed a stiff so I gave it a bit extra and the key broke".

By the time I arrived Terri was getting a bit excited and barking.

I soon had the broken key out, picked the lock and Terri was happy again to be reunited with his owner.

Another Shaggy dog story that ends well.

Euro Cylinder Thumbturn Warning Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Received a call from a panic stricken fathersaying his 3yr old son was locked in a bedroom.

They had been playing Hide and Seek and the boy wentinto a bedroom and had locked the door and then couldn'topen it.

I got there within about 10mins as they were local to me.

I managed to pick the lock and free the young boy and re-unitehim with the family again.

The father was over the moon to see his young son again as any father would be.Very rewarding to know you've helped someone to that extent.

The lock in question was a Euro Profile Thumbturn Cylinder which locks on the

outside with a key, but on the inside with a turn.

Probably worth considering changing these if you have young children.

Wellies Required Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Received a call from a man recently who saidhe needed a door opened, as there was no keys.

He asked me if I had wellingtons, strange request I thought at first.He went onto say that the door was located below ground level and was flooded.

I went to the location put on my wellies and in I went.The water level was only about an inch from the top of the wellies.

Carefuly wading in, made my way to the door and opened it within a couple of mins.

After opening and changing the lock, I waded back up to dry ground again.

Measuring the water mark on my wellies it was 13", any more than this it would have been a snorkel and flippers job.

Just goes to show a locksmiths ability to adapt to different siuations and requests.

(By the way It's not my blke in the picture)

Tubular Latch Monday, May 2, 2016

Suspect Quality of Tubular Latches

Many times as locksmiths in Bromley we have been called to situations where people are locked in or out from internal doors.

After freeing the people from within, we find it's a particular make of tubular latch that seems to be at fault.

This is a make by the the name of Eurospec or E*S is what you might see on the end of the latch.

They tend to crack where the spindle goes through, so even though the handle may turn, it has no grip to pull back the latch, leaving you trapped inside or out.

This information is based on our personel experience.

Crime Prevention Advice Saturday, April 30, 2016

Burglary can have a long-lasting emotional impact on victims,leaving them feeling isolated and vulnerable. However, by taking justa few simple measures you can reduce the chances of it happeningto you.

This section gives you a wealth of simple and practical advice on how to deter thieves, so you feel more secure in your home.

Why might your home be targeted?Most burglaries tend to be opportunistic, rather than planned.Burglars usually choose houses that have little or no visible security.So if your home does not look secure, seems unlived in, or providesunobserved access, it could be at risk. Understanding what burglarslook for when choosing their target will help you identify weak spots in your home’s security.